Interlocking joint for metallic frames



March 13, 1928.

W. WAIT INTERLOGKING JOINT FOR METALLIC FRAMES Filed March 51 1927 Mag h/azf Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES WESLEY WAIT, 0F NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

INTERLOOKING JOINT FOR METALLIC FRAMES.

Application filed March 31, 1927. Serial No. 180,012.

This invention relates to improvements in liltQllOClilIlg joints for heavy metallic frames constructed to sustain heavy loads, as in the foundation frames for massive buildings, in bracing mine tunnels, subways and the like. In such structures, where bolts and rivets are used to secure the parts together, much trouble has been experienced from faulty workmanship. Often the bolts are not uniformly set-up, or the rivets are not clenched with equal strain. /Vhen this occurs undue load is thrown on the tighter bolts or rivets with a tendency to shear the same. Owing to the nature of the work, it is difficult to ascertain by inspection a faulty setting of the bolts or rivets.

The purpose of the instant invention is to provide an interlocking joint for metallic columns and girders without the use of bolts or rivets, particularly adapted to heavy work. The parts to be joined are preliminarily shaped to uniform patterns so that component members can be readily assembled in interlocked relation. Before the joint is forn'ied the individual members can be read ily inspected and in interlocked relation the entire joint is exposed for critical examination. In this way a proper joint between the connected members canbe assured.

The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts:

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, respectively showing ends of a girder and a column shaped to form the component parts of an interlocking joint.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, showing the girder and column in interlocking relation. Fig. l is a sectional view on the line 4;%t of 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 and 11 respectively designate the column and girder joined at their ends in interlock relation. They are alike in cross-area and are formed of heavy metal channeled on both faces with flanges of considerable depth to provide the required stability. At the upper end of the column in the flanged outer side 12 thereof, is formed a. vertical slot 13 in thesame plane as the web 14 of the column. The depth and width of this slot are such as to fit the web of the girder, as explained hereinafter. The upper extremity of the outer flanged side 12 is recessed to provide a transverse seat 15 for the inner face of the upper flanged side of the girder. This seat extends but part way across the side 12, at the corners of which are the projections 16. The web 14 of the column is cut away adjacent to the outer side 12, as at 17, to the same depth as the slot 13 so that the bottom of the cut-away part of the web is even with the bottom of the slot. The upper part of the inner flanged side 18 of the column and part of the adjacent web are cut away, as at 19, to the same depth as the slot 13 and the recess 17 to form a transverse seat for the lower flanged side of the girder. This transverse seat 19 has an area coextensive with the cross-area of the inner flanged side of the column and provides an extensive bearing for the lower flanged side of the girder i1nposed thereon. Part of the web 14, as at 20, remains to form a post projecting upwardly about one-half the distance between the bottom of the slot 13 and the upper end of the outer side 12 of the column. The width of the post is about one-half the width of the web 14.

The end of the girder 11 is shaped to provide an interlocking fit with the end. of the column. The lower flanges 21 of the girder are provided with alined slots 22 extending outwardly from the web 23. In the upper flanges 24 of the girder are the opposite slots 25 in the same transverse plane as the slots 22 in the lower flanges; the upper slots,-however, do not extend to the web 23. The distance between the inner ends of the slots 25 is equal to the space between the projections 16 at the upper corners of the outer side of the column. In the lower flanged side of the girder is a recess or socket 26 extending part 7 way through the web 23. This recess or socket is shaped to fit the post, 20 of the column.

With the column and girder in interlocked relation, the web 23 of-the girder fits the slot 13 of the column and the flanged upper side 2& of the girder is seated in the recess 15 at the upper part ofthe outer flanged side 12 of the column. The flanges of the outer side 12 of the column register with the slots 22 in the lower flanges 21 of the girder and the projections 16 at the upper corners of the column engage the slots 25 in the upper flanges 24 of the girder.

The post 20 of the column enters the recess or socket 26 in the girder and the web of the girder rests on the web of the colmun, while the under side of the girder rests on the seat at the upper end of the flanged side 18 ot' the column. The engaged parts are accurately fitted so that the load of the girder is evenly distributed over the mutually contacting parts. The transverse seat 19 at the upper cnd of the inner flanged side of the column has a wide contact with the under flanged side of the girder. At this contact with the transverse seat 19, the flanges of the under side of the girder are intact-not notched or cut-away'with the web of the girder. Consequently, the strain of the load carried by the girder at this part of the jointis distributed between the comparatively extensive contacting surfaces of the transverse seat and the flanged under side of the girder imposed on the seat. Also, the girder and column are firmly held together against relative displacement. The parts having been accurately shaped before hand, they can be easily assembled and the joint readily inspected. -for defects. The joint is particularly adapted to heavy work, such as the supports for mines, subway and other constructions where excessive loads must be carried. Also the joint is well adapted to the installation of supports in restricted spaces, such as mine tunnels, for the parts can be readily joined together in a limited operating space. Furthermore, by employing the interlocking joint, the use of bolts and rivets is dispensed with to a great extent. i

hat I claim is:

laThe combination of a column with a girder in transverse interlocking relation, each being formed with a web and flanges on both sides at each edge of the web, said column at the interlock having one flanged side and the web cut away to form a transverse seat coextensive at its outer part with the cross-area of said side and said column also having inits other flanged side a longitudinal slot in the same plane as the web thereof; said girder .being seated on the transverse seat formed in the cut-away side of the column and with an intact part (it the girder impbsed on the ,outer part ot said seat, said girder having its web fitting the longitudinal slot in the other flanged side o-t the columnythe flanged sides of the column and girder being in mutual engage- 1nent.-' 1

2. The

combination of a column with a girder in transverse interlocking relation, each being formed with a web and flanges on botli sides at each edge of the web, the flanges of the column and girder being mutually engaged; said column at the inter lock having its inner flanged side and its web cut away to form a transverse seat coextensive at its outer part with the crossarea of said side and said column also having in its outer flanged side a longitudinal slot in the same plane as the web of the column, the web of the column being extended in part above the transverse seat to form a post; said girder being seated on the, transverse seat formed in the inner flanged side of the column with an intact part of the girder imposed on the outer part of said seat, the web of the girder fitting the longitudinal slot in the outer face otthe column, and the lower flanged side oi the girder and the web thereof having a recess to. receive the post formed in the web of the column.

3. The combination of a column with a girder in interlocking relation, each being formed with a web and flanged on both sides at each. edge of the web; said column at the interlock having its inner flanged side cut away to form a transverse seat with the outer part of said seat coextensive with the cross-area ot' the inner flanged side of the column and the web oi? the column shaped to form a post and to provide a recess between the post and the outer flanged side oi? the column, the outer flanged side of the column being provided at its extremity with a transverse seat between. corner projections and said outer side also being provided with a longitudinal slot in the same plane as the web of the column; said girder being seated on the transverse seat. formed in the inner flanged side ot the column with an intact part of thegirder imposed on the outer part of said. transverse seat, said'girder at the interlock having its web registering with the longitudinal slot in the column, the upper andlower flanges on both sides of the girder web being slotted to receive the outer flange side of the column with the upper flanged side of the girder seated in the transverse :seat invthe extremity ot the outer flanged side of the column, and the girder having its lower flanged side and web formed with a socket opening to admit the post of the column.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

WESLEY warn 

